Cult | Culture | Cultus Dei

Welcome

An Introduction

It seems impossible to get lost these days. For just about any person, directions to where you want to go are only a click or tap away. What about when your destination is the truth? Where do you turn, who do you trust, and does the spirituality you embrace sustain that endeavor?

Rubrica is your source of clarity, direction, as you wade through cultic and cultural fads of today looking for an everlasting truth. Rubrica is a reboot, a reinvention, of the blog Rubric. Many similarities, such as an emphasis on Christian worship and catechesis (liturgical catechesis) will continue to be a predominant theme. What’s new is the necessary commentary on cults and the prevailing culture. Really, Rubrica is an expansion of Rubric, born out of the realization that worship of God (cultus dei) informs how you also engage both false religion and the secular world. As impossible as it may seem our world is lost, Rubrica hopes to give it and you direction in Christ!

What is Rubrica?

Rubrica. Latin, translation: Rubric. Literally, it is defined as, a law with its title in red, red earth, and red ocher (an earthly pigment). A common expression is found in churchly practice as, the rule for the conduct of a worship service. Perhaps more familiar still, is the use of red lettering to identify the words of Jesus in the Bible. The prevailing use of rubrications is to direct attention to someone or something. Rubrica is the place for just that.

About Me

My interests include Christology, catechesis, liturgics, identity, ethics, and culture. In 2010 I received my B.A. from Concordia University Wisconsin in History, with my thesis paper entitled, “The Origins of Nazi Eugenics.” In 2013 I was awarded as a winning essayist by the Office of International Mission and the Office of National Mission of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. My essay was, “In the Midst of the Garden: The Divine Service is a Work of Mercy in the Church’s Ministry of Word and Sacrament.” I’m an M.Div., a graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN. In 2014 Trinity Lutheran Ministries in Edwardsville, IL called me as their Associate Pastor. I also serve as the LCMS U Campus Pastor to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Currently, I’m working on an M.Th. through SATS researching how worship and catechesis form the foundation for a Christological ethic. I’m blessed to be married to my wife Morgan (2010) and share the joy of parenthood to our daughters Lillian (2015) and Iris (2018).